Launch
Students will launch the Arduino R4 WiFi challenge by experiencing what the board can do, comparing it to the Arduino R3, and identifying real school or community problems worth investigating. They will begin a project portfolio with evidence from demos, station notes, and an initial problem opportunity list that prepares them for user research in the next phase.
Days 1 - 2
๐ŸŽฌ R4 Reveal Night
Launch 45m
๐Ÿงช R4 vs R3 Challenge Stations
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
Research & Plan
Students will gather firsthand user evidence about a school or community problem, analyze patterns in needs and constraints, and turn that evidence into a validated design brief and candidate How Might We statement for an Arduino R4 WiFi solution.
Days 3 - 8
๐Ÿงญ Interview Protocols for Arduino Needs
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
๐Ÿ‘ฅ School User Interviews and Field Notes
Community Experience 45m
๐Ÿ“ถ R4 WiFi or R3 Matchup
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
๐Ÿ—‚๏ธ Empathy Map and Jobs Board
Research 45m
โœ๏ธ Design Brief and HMW Draft
Deliverable 45m
โœ… Design Brief Conference
Assessment 45m
Ideate & Prototype
Students will turn user research into a focused design direction, generate multiple Arduino R4 WiFi solution concepts, build and test low-fidelity prototypes, and complete two evidence-based revision cycles documented in their portfolio.
Days 9 - 13
๐Ÿงฉ HMW Priorities Board
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
โœ๏ธ Crazy 8s Device Concepts
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Paper Prototype Sprint
Project Work 45m
๐Ÿ‘ฅ User Test and Debug Notes
Community Experience 45m
๐Ÿ“ Prototype Decision Portfolio Check
Assessment 45m
Build & Showcase
Students will turn their tested concept into a functional Arduino R4 WiFi device, strengthen the code and hardware needed for real use, validate the build with a representative user, revise from critique, and assemble portfolio evidence that supports the final class presentation in the next phase.
Days 14 - 18
๐Ÿง  R4 WiFi Build Clinic
Knowledge/Skill Building 35m
๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Working Device Sprint
Project Work 45m
๐Ÿ‘ฅ User Test and Peer Critique
Community Experience 45m
๐Ÿ”ง Revision and Debug Log
Deliverable 45m
๐Ÿ“ Portfolio Gate Check
Assessment 45m
Showcase
Students will present their Arduino R4 WiFi devices and portfolios to an authentic audience, explain how user evidence shaped their design choices, respond to questions about tradeoffs and iteration, and close the project with a documented reflection on what they built, tested, revised, and learned.
Days 19 - 20
๐ŸŽค Arduino R4 Solution Showcase
Community Experience 45m
๐Ÿ“ Portfolio Defense and Reflection
Assessment 45m